When it comes to self-preservation, the first line of defense is awareness — awareness of not just immediate surroundings, but of your inner landscape. With the intent to empower women, YWCA Girls Zone joins forces with Inside Out Fitness and
When it comes to self-preservation, the first line of defense is awareness — awareness of not just immediate surroundings, but of your inner landscape. With the intent to empower women, YWCA Girls Zone joins forces with Inside Out Fitness and Tri-Hara martial arts instructor Marko Kowalski to present a mother-daughter self-defense workshop July 18 in Kapa‘a and July 25 in Waimea.
For Kowalski, self-defense begins in the belly.
“Ideally our decisions come from our gut, not from our head. There’s a mind, body, heart connection. We’re top heavy — we need to get out of the head to move from our core,” he said. “In our gut is where awareness lives.”
The 40-year martial artist will lead two, three-hour workshops teaching strategies supporting his adage, “the best self-defense is self-awareness.”
“Self-esteem is cultivated by self-awareness,” he said.
This introduction to Kowalski’s style of self-defense evolved over many years to become what he calls the Tri-Hara Holistic Well-being Program — a combination of Aikido, Karate and Tai Chi.
“After an hour, they will feel relaxed confident and empowered,” he said. “I work with the energy that’s going to make us feel happy, healthy and whole.”
Student and fellow organizer of the event Robin Lopez of Inside Out Fitness said she considers the program one that integrates strength and gentleness.
“You don’t have to be fit to do this,” she said. “It’s a blend of martial arts with the ease and relaxation of meditation.”
Kowalski uses a series of stretches to explore the mind-body connection in order to generate more power from the core and build confidence in the practitioner.
“It’s also about having fun,” he said. “Women supporting women in a joyful atmosphere.”
Attendees can expect to learn self-defense technique as well.
“When you do exercises that are strengthening, it helps to focus the mind. It helps a person feel their vigor,” he said. “It’s about letting women know that their best self-defense is awareness and if a situation arises, they have two to three techniques to protect themselves.”
Tri-Hara is two-fold.
“When you feel good about yourself you don’t accept mediocre situations and you make better decisions. When you make better decisions you don’t find yourself in harm’s way. You listen to your belly and you get out of there.”
The workshop will cover some basic martial arts defense techniques and strategies for preventing harmful situations. All women are encouraged to attend. Beverages and light pupu will be provided. Cost is $25 per person or $40 per couple. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the YWCA Girls Zone program.
Kowalski teaches regularly at Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center and Hilton Resort. Classes are $5. For a complete listing call, 212-6228. Group sessions available.
Want to go?
What: Self-defense and
empowerment workshop
When: 2 to 5 p.m. July 18; 25
Where: All Saints Gym, Kapa‘a; Waimea Boys and Girls Club
To register call Robin Lopez, 346-0025 or Marko Kowalski, 212-6228
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
